Your cat stops jumping onto a favorite chair. Your dog takes a little longer to stand after a nap. Maybe your pet sleeps more, plays less, or simply seems different from the companion you know so well. Changes like these can be easy to dismiss, especially when they happen gradually, but they may be worth a closer look.
September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, a reminder that discomfort is not always obvious. The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management notes that chronic pain can be subtle and may look like a pet is simply “getting old” or “slowing down.” For families in Long Beach, Lakewood, Cerritos, and nearby communities, noticing those small changes at home can provide useful information to share with a veterinarian.
Why Pain Can Be Easy to Miss
Dogs and cats cannot tell us where something hurts, and pain does not always cause dramatic limping or vocalizing. Instead, a pet may quietly adjust how they move, rest more often, avoid activities they once enjoyed, or interact differently with family members.
The American Animal Hospital Association describes several common signs of pain in pets, including appetite changes, stiffness, reluctance to move, unusual behavior, grooming changes, restlessness, fatigue, and changes in posture. One isolated moment does not tell the whole story, but a pattern that continues or worsens deserves attention.
Small Changes Worth Paying Attention To
You know your pet’s normal routine better than anyone. If something feels different, it can help to watch for changes such as:
- Sleeping more than usual or showing less interest in play
- Hesitating before jumping, climbing stairs, or getting into the car
- Moving slowly or appearing stiff after resting
- Pulling away from touch or becoming more irritable
- Hiding more often or spending less time with the family
- Eating less or showing less enthusiasm at mealtime
- Grooming less, or repeatedly grooming one area
- Sitting, standing, or lying in a different position
- Pacing, restlessness, or difficulty getting comfortable
These behaviors can have many possible causes, so they should not be used to diagnose pain at home. Instead, they can help you recognize when it may be time to schedule a veterinary exam.
Cats Can Show Pain in Especially Subtle Ways
Changes in cats can be particularly easy to overlook because a cat may simply become quieter or adjust a familiar routine. The feline-focused resource Cat Friendly Homes lists signs of pain in cats that can include hiding, reduced movement, hesitation to jump, decreased grooming, appetite changes, posture changes, and sensitivity to touch.
Think about the little things your cat does every day. If a favorite windowsill suddenly goes unused, grooming becomes less thorough, or your cat chooses a lower sleeping spot instead of jumping onto the bed, those observations are worth noting. A brief record of when the change started and how often it happens can be helpful during a veterinary visit.
When “Slowing Down” May Be More Than Age
Older pets often change their pace, but age alone does not explain every change in mobility or behavior. Conditions involving joints, teeth, inflammation, injuries, or other parts of the body can affect comfort at many stages of life. That is why a new change should be evaluated on its own rather than automatically attributed to aging.
Routine wellness care also gives pet owners an opportunity to discuss changes they have noticed at home. At Parkview Pet Hospital, wellness visits include a physical examination and a conversation about your pet’s health and daily care, helping the veterinary team decide whether additional evaluation may be appropriate.
How a Veterinarian May Help
The right next step depends on what is causing the change. A veterinarian may begin with a physical exam and your observations from home, then determine whether further testing or supportive care is appropriate for your individual pet.
Parkview Pet Hospital also offers cold laser therapy for dogs and cats. The clinic uses this service for pain, inflammation, osteoarthritis, post-surgical healing, and several other conditions. Laser therapy is not automatically the right choice for every pet, so whether it belongs in a treatment plan depends on the cause of the discomfort and the veterinarian’s assessment.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian
A gradual change can still be meaningful, but some signs deserve more prompt veterinary attention. Contact a veterinarian if your pet suddenly cannot move normally, cries out when touched or lifted, stops eating or drinking, develops unusual breathing, becomes dramatically withdrawn or agitated, or seems to be getting worse instead of better.
For less dramatic changes, pay attention to the pattern. If your pet consistently avoids a favorite activity, sleeps much more than usual, changes grooming habits, or no longer seems comfortable with normal movement, scheduling an exam can help you understand what may be going on.
Pain is not always loud. Sometimes it looks like a missed jump, a slower walk, a different sleeping spot, or a pet who simply does not seem like themselves. Animal Pain Awareness Month is a useful reminder to notice those changes rather than assuming they are an unavoidable part of getting older.
If your dog or cat has been slowing down, moving differently, or acting unlike themselves, Parkview Pet Hospital can help you take a closer look. Schedule an exam to discuss the changes you have noticed and the next steps that may be appropriate for your pet.